David A. Mix Barrington Receives 2026 College Outstanding Teaching Award
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Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) Professor David A. Mix Barrington has received the 2026 College Outstanding Teaching Award (COTA), which honors faculty members across the university’s schools and colleges for excellence in instruction. The recognition comes in Barrington’s final year of full-time teaching, as he retires after 40 years at UMass Amherst.
The COTA program is administered jointly by the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning and its schools and colleges. Presented annually during the spring semester, each award includes a $1,000 prize and a commemorative plaque. Nominees for the college’s 2026 award were put forward by faculty and reviewed by the CICS Internal Awards Committee, with student feedback helping to determine the final recipient.
“Dave took a vital part in shaping our college’s teaching mission for the past 40 years,” the awards committee said. “He has indisputably done a great deal of teaching, led others, and significantly impacted CICS’ teaching mission.”
The awards committee cited Barrington’s “greatest impact” as his work in COMPSCI 250 Introduction to Computation, a required course for the bachelor’s degree in computer science, which he has taught 26 times since 2005 and for which he recently wrote a textbook. The committee also recognized his mentoring and advising of students, leadership in developing several other courses, excellence in the classroom, and significant administrative contributions.
Barrington’s impact as an educator was also recognized by his students: “Professor Barrington’s ability to demystify complex concepts while maintaining a high standard of academic rigor is what truly sets them apart as an educator,” one student said. “[Barrington’s] dedication extends far beyond the lecture hall, providing the kind of mentorship and personal encouragement that inspires students to excel both academically and personally.”
Another student wrote, “Professor Barrington is always incredibly well-prepared for class and his lecture materials are impeccable. ... It is very clear that he is incredibly interested in his subject matter and in making sure students not only learn the material, but fully understand it, always being willing to stick around after class for questions.”
Reflecting on his career in teaching, research, advising, and administration, Barrington said the opportunity to connect with students has been among the most meaningful parts of his time at the university. He plans to continue teaching one of his favorite courses, COMPSCI 501 Theory of Computation, each spring for the next three years.
“My role has been to teach students to think—particularly to think mathematically in ways that help them understand and apply computing,” Barrington said. “I’ve tried to do that by connecting with students, learning about them through advising, and talking with them in class, in office hours, and anywhere else.
“I’ve been privileged to work with all of them, and with the many colleagues who have helped, including faculty, teaching assistants, and undergraduate course assistants.”
Barrington earned a PhD in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1986, the same year he joined the UMass Amherst faculty. He served as the college’s chief undergraduate advisor from 1987 to 2010 and associate chair for academic programs from 2010 to 2023. He was also named a 1994–95 UMass Amherst Lilly Fellow. Barrington’s research focuses on complexity theory, examining the resources required by various abstract computing devices—both sequential and parallel—to solve mathematical problems.
Learn more about the College Outstanding Teaching Award and view previous recipients.
